Page 160 of The Encore’s Crown

Tastes Sweet

Istop.

“How the fuck did you know I was here?”

He pushes off the wall.

“You’re not the only one who knows how to lie to Elise.”

My eyes narrow.

“She told you?”

“She told me you asked for Natalia’s room number because you wanted to send flowers.” He looks me over again. “Really, Kiri? Flowers?”

“It worked.”

“Barely. Even I know Natalia’s a chocolate kind of girl.”

I keep walking before he can enjoy himself any more than he already is. I don’t look at him. The elevators are at the end of the hall, but the second I see the glowing numbers above the doors, I imagine them opening on Ronan. Or Rafe. No fucking chance. I cut toward the stairwell instead. Behind me, Rithy laughs.

“The stairs? Seriously? Going for more cardio? From the state of you, I’d say you two already trained hard enough to qualify for the fucking Olympics.”

I push through the heavy door and start down.

“So you're not denying it anymore?”

“I’m not talking about it.”

“Yeah, you are.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Kiri, stop. Hold on.”

I keep going. His footsteps chase mine down the concrete stairs.

“Will you fucking stop for one goddamn second?”

I halt halfway down the flight and turn on him.

“If you’re about to tell me to stop seeing her again, I won’t. So don't waste your breath.”

The words come out hard enough to echo through the stairwell. Rithy stops two steps above me.

“I’m not.” I stare at him. “Not this time.”

Some of the fight leaves my body. Rithy braces one hand against the railing.

“I'm pissed but I'm not stupid. I'm aware you had Radhika Malhotra on your arm last night but you were still willing to risk prison and the band to defend Natalia’s honor like some fucking knight.”

My jaw tightens.

“Don’t call it that. I'm not a knight for doing the right thing. I stopped a predator.”

“Right.” Rithy nods solemnly. “Completely unavoidable that you knocked him out. Definitely had nothing to do with who it was he was trying to drug.”

I turn and start down the stairs again, slower now. He follows.